The famous work “Comedian” by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, known since 2019 for the intense debate it caused, returns to the public with a new auction by Sotheby’s in New York on November 20.
The work, which consists of a banana and duct tape, is estimated to fetch $1 million to $1.5 million, according to a statement from the house.
The buyer will receive a banana, a roll of duct tape, a certificate of authenticity and installation instructions. Although the materials will be replaced with each presentation, the concept of Cattelan’s art remains unchanged, as noted by auction house Sotheby’s.
The work, which was first exhibited at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019 and caused a storm of reactions, has already become a collector’s item, consisting of three editions, two of which have been purchased by private individuals and the third has been donated to the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
In 2019, Cattelan, in collaboration with the Perrotin gallery, caused a sensation among the public and art critics with the price of $120,000 for the work “Comedian”. Cattelan’s notion of “conceptual art” has sparked intense debate, as it implies questioning the value of art itself, referring to classic works such as Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain”.
Another interesting incident occurred in 2019, when the artist David Datuna removed the banana from the wall, peeled it and ate it, characterizing his action as a new form of artistic intervention. The installation was eventually removed for safety reasons, but all versions of the project sold out immediately.
Maurizio Cattelan, known for his satirical works, has repeatedly described Comedian as a commentary on the values we place on art and society. “It’s not funny,” he said in an interview in 2021. “It’s a reflection on what we value.”
The auction of the work at Sotheby’s is expected to be another proof of how the value of art is interpreted through public reactions. David Galperin, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art for the US, said the work is “a fearless work of pure genius” that combines critical thinking and satire while offering the public an opportunity to determine its value.
Prior to the auction, the work will be presented on an international tour, with exhibitions in London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles.
The tours:
29 October 2024 – London
October 30, 2024 – Paris
October 31, 2024 – Milan
November 1, 2024 – Hong Kong
November 4, 2024 – Dubai
November 5, 2024 – Taipei
November 6, 2024 – Tokyo
November 7, 2024 – Los Angeles
November 8-20, 2024 – New York
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